Your Trip to Philadelphia: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Hiking Near Philadelphia Camping Near Philadelphia Parks & Gardens Reading Terminal Market Museums in Philly The Best Live Music Venues The Best Food to Try Best Cheesesteaks Philly's Top Restaurants The Best Bars Nightlife Guide Breweries in Philadelphia Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate Philadelphia International Airport Guide Hotels in Philadelphia Neighborhoods to Know Where to Stay Public Transportation 48-Hour Itinerary Day Trips From Philly Best Tours Top Things to Do Historic Attactions to Visit Free Things to Do Things to Do With Kids Your Trip to Philadelphia: The Complete Guide close Overview United States Pennsylvania Philadelphia Philadelphia's Top 10 Kid-Friendly Attractions Written by Julie Davis Julie Davis is a writer, editor, and expert on lifestyle and travel to Philadelphia. She is a lifelong resident of the city. Tripsavvy's Editorial Guidelines Julie Davis Updated 05/28/19 Share Pin Email You've toured Independence Hall, snapped photos of the Liberty Bell, ran up the Art Museum steps, and the pint-sized sightseers in your party are still asking, "Now what?" Whether you're a Philly lifer or just in the City of Brotherly Love for the weekend, these 10 Philly-area attractions keep little minds (and hands!) busy with a mix of educational and interactive exhibits, unstructured play—even a carousel or two. 01 of 10 The Academy of the Natural Sciences Will Klein for The Academy of Natural Sciences View Map Address 1900 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy, Philadelphia, PA 19103-1101, USA Get directions Phone +1 215-299-1000 Web Visit website Natural history and environmental awareness are on display at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. Founded in 1812, this natural history museum piques the curiosity of youngsters with a wealth of artifacts, specimens, live animals, genuine dinosaur skeletons—even a tropical garden that 150 live butterflies call home. The "Outside In" exhibit is geared specifically to children aged three to eight. 02 of 10 Adventure Aquarium Photo by R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia™ View Map Address 1 Riverside Dr, Camden, NJ 08103, USA Get directions Phone +1 844-474-3474 Web Visit website Located in Camden, New Jersey, the Adventure Aquarium's KidZone allows children to get up close and personal with aquatic life via seven unique touch exhibits. A 40-foot tunnel gives visitors of all ages an underwater view of the aquarium's collection of sharks and sea life, all while keeping both feet on dry land. 03 of 10 Franklin Institute The Franklin Institute Science Museum View Map Address 222 N 20th St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA Get directions Phone +1 215-448-1200 Web Visit website Since 1934, The Franklin Institute has been instilling a love of technology and science in people of all ages. Inspired by Benjamin Franklin's love of learning, this hands-on facility houses four levels of traveling and continuing exhibits. The first floor, 6,000-square-foot "KidScience" interactive exhibit introduces kids ages five through eight to the four elements. 04 of 10 Franklin Square View Map Address 200 N 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA Get directions Phone +1 215-629-4026 Web Visit website Situated on one of Philadelphia's five original public squares, Franklin Square provides fun for the whole family. Putt around the 18-hole mini golf course, take a ride on the carousel, then tackle the equipment over at the playground. Cap off your visit with a TastyKake-themed milkshake at SquareBurger. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Philadelphia Zoo TripSavvy / Christopher Larson View Map Address 3400 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA Get directions Phone +1 215-243-1100 Web Visit website Now home to 1,300 animals (some rare and endangered) from all over the globe, the Philadelphia Zoo (America's first!) has come a long way since its inception in 1874. More than 1.2 million visitors take a lap around the zoo's 42 acres annually, making this Philadelphia's most popular attraction. Ooh and aah at gorillas, zebras, orangutans, polar bears, tigers and slithery snakes before making your way over to the KidZooU wildlife academy. There, little ones can make the acquaintance of sheep, feathered friends, goats and miniature horses. 06 of 10 Please Touch Museum Photo by M. Edlow for Visit Philadelphia™ View Map Address 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 19131-3719, USA Get directions Phone +1 215-581-3181 Web Visit website The Please Touch Museum inspires learning through interactive play in kids aged seven and under. Spread over two floors, eight exhibits follow themes of public transportation, architecture, space exploration and more, all of which are scaled to pint-sized explorers. The "Wonderland" exhibit is particularly popular, offering Alice in Wonderland-inspired mazes and optical illusions. 07 of 10 Sesame Place Sesame Place View Map Address 100 Sesame Rd, Langhorne, PA 19047, USA Get directions Phone +1 215-702-3566 Web Visit website Your child's favorite Sesame Street characters have a home at Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pa., a 30-minute drive from Center City Philadelphia. Open seasonally, this theme park delights visitors of all ages with a medley of amusement park rides, water park attractions, musicals and parades. Kids can steal a hug from Elmo at "Sesame Neighborhood," a life-size recreation of the Sesame Street television show set. 08 of 10 The Smith Playhouse and Playground View Map Address 3500 Reservoir Dr, Philadelphia, PA 19121, USA Get directions Phone +1 215-765-4325 Web Visit website Theaters & Performances 4.7 Situated in East Fairmount Park, Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse is a century-old play space designed for little ones aged 10 and under. With an emphasis on unstructured play, the indoor playhouse houses 16,000 square feet of toys, while the outdoor playground offers six-and-a-half acres of unique equipment. No visit to the playground is complete without a ride down the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Linvilla Orchards View Map Address 137 W Knowlton Rd, Media, PA 19063, USA Get directions Phone +1 610-876-7116 Web Visit website Looking for a taste of farm life? Pile the kids in the car and head to Linvilla Orchards, a 300-acre family farm in Media, Pa., about 30 minutes south of downtown Philadelphia. Pick-your-own produce is the draw here, the experience of which is enhanced by hayrides, seasonal attractions and pony rides. Linvilla Orchards is open year-round. (Don't leave without saying hello to the "pet" deer, turkeys, fowl and barnyard animals!) 10 of 10 Parkway Central Library View Map Address 1901 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA Get directions Phone +1 215-686-5322 Web Visit website Hosting more than 7 million items over three levels, Philadelphia's flagship free library has been fostering young bibliophiles since 1927. The largest of Philadelphia's 54 free libraries, the Parkway Central library is home to an expansive children's department that's open seven days a week. Visit the H.O.M.E. Page Cafe to refuel with a sandwich, pastry or cup of coffee. The 9 best campgrounds within 150 miles of Philadelphia Was this page helpful? 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